Wash cloth



April 14, 1925.

c. P. GILLUM WASH CLOTH Filed Aug. 1924 Clam T W ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 14, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OLARAP. GILLUM, OI ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

WASH CLOTH.

Application filed August 4, 1824. Serial No. 729,873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARA P. GILLUM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wash Cloths, of which the following is a speci fication.

It is the object of this invention-to pro-- vide a wash cloth or the like comprising an elongated strip adapted" to be engaged ad jacent the respective ends thereof by the hands of the user with the fingers extended and the ends of the strip overlying the outstretched hands, so that by pushing with the hands against the ends of the strip, the medial portion thereof may be drawn back and forth across the rear portion of any part of the body, and without changing the position of the hands, the ends of the strip which overlie the outstretched palms and fingers maybe manipulated b the hands so as to Wash any part of the limbs, neck, or front of the body, or any partof the head of the user.

It is a further object ofthe invention to so enga e the ends of the strip by the outstretche hands, that the latter without conscious effoit will maintain the strip extended to its full width in order to provide a maximum rubbing surface.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide for engaging the ends of the strip with the latter overlying the outstretched hands and still permit free movement of the fingers, so that either of the hands having an end of the strip overlying the same may be closedover a cake of soa or the like to hold the same against the strlp, or the fingers of either hand may be used separately for Washing the ears, etc. with the portion of the end of. the strip which overlies the same, the construction at the same time providing for maintaining a hold upon the ends of the strip for convenient manipulation of the entire length thereof.

The invention will be readily understood from the followingdescription of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a view showing the washcloth used for washing the back with the medial portion thereof.

Fig. 2 is a view showing the method of using the ends of the wash cloth strip.

1Flilg. 3 is a perspective view of the wash 0 0t Fig. 4 is a plan view of one end thereof.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section through one end of the cloth with the hand engaging the same.

The strip 1 is of any suitable cloth or textile fabric adapted to form an eflicient wash cloth when wet, and preferably formmg a practical drying medium when dry, so that it may also be used as a towel. The strip may be formed in any desired or usual manner, and the edges thereof may be finished as is found practicable.

The strip is of any convenient width, preferably a proximately that of the palm of the ban and is of a length so that when engaged by the hands ad acent the respective ends thereof, the medial portion of the strip may be conveniently drawn back and forth across the rear portion of any part of the body, and without loosenin the hold upon the strip, the ends thereo may be manipulated by the hands for washing the front of the body, or'the limbs, neck, or head.

Means are provided adjacent the respective ends of the strip so that the hands may engage the same with the strip overlyin the hands and the fingers outstretched an free for independent movement.

In the present instance the engaging means comprise pockets 2 extending longitudinally of the ends of the strip, and open at their inner ends for insertion of the outstretched hands to points well up along the Wrists, and closed at their outer ends for abutment of the tips of the fingers of the outstretched hands, which are thus free for any desired movement in the ockets.

In t e form of the invention ilustrated, the pockets 2 are formed by folding the ends of strip 1 'back upon the same and closing the side edges in any suitable manner as "by stitching 3.

The outstretched hands may be inserted in the pockets with the palms against either the strip proper as shown in the drawings, or with the palms against the pockets '2 as is found most convenient, since the outer surface ofboth the strip proper and the pockets are of the same suitable material adapted to form either a wash cloth or a towel depending upon whether the device is used wet or dry.

The hands are also free in the pockets for reversing the position of the palms when found desirable, and the extension of the mit of the stri being drawn back and forth across the b0 y by movement of the arms as shown in Fig. 1, and by closing the hands with the overlying portions of the ends of the strip, the grip which may be obtained by the hands is unimpaired, so that the hands may be used for grasping and holding a cake of soap or the like against the surface of the strip.

With the fingers either extended or bent to close the hands, the sides of the palms abutting against the closed sides of the pockets maintain the ends of the strip extended to their full width, so that without effort, the strip 1 is held against transverse folding or crushing while the hands are in the pockets and irrespective of any change in position of-the hands.

The front part of the body, and the limbs, neck, etc. may be washed without changing the position of the hands in the pockets, and with the medial portion of the strip still extending across the rear of the body, the hands in the pockets 2 being brought around to the point which it is desired to wash with the medial portion of the strip hanging slack as shown in Fig. 2,

and the palms of the outstretched hands being then manipulated in usual manner for washing with the overlying ends of th stri r T lie fingers of the hands being entirely free for independent movement in pockets 2, any finger and its ,overlying portion of the Wash strip may be extended separately alllxd used for washing the ears and the li 'e. 1

The improved construction thus provides for engaging the ends of a strip of suitable material by the hands,- to permit drawing of said strip back and forth across the back, while leaving the hands having the ends of the strip overlying the same, free for any desired 'movement for convenience in washing or drying any part of the body, and at, the same time maintaining the strip extended to its full width by the positioning of the hands relative thereto and irrespective of movement of the hands.

While I have illustrated and described forth.

the invention as of articular utility as a wash cloth, it will e apparent that the device may be used as a rubbing of any kind, as for examplea usting or polishing cloth adapted for general use.

I claim: 1. A strip havin engaging means for medium the respective han s ad acent its ends so that the intermediate portion of the strip may be drawn across a surface, said ongaging means comprising retaining members spaced from the back of the strip for insertion of .the outstretched'hands beneath the same and against the strip, said retaiuing members being secured at their sides to the strip whereby the sides of the hands inserted beneath the retaining members will abut against the sides of said retaining members to maintain the strip extended to its full width.

2. A strip having engaging means for the respective hands adjacent its ends so that the intermediate portion of the strip may be drawn across a surface, said engaging means comprising retaining members spaced from the back of the strip for insertion of the outstretched hands beneath the same and against the strip, said retaining members being secured at their sides to the strip whereby the sides of the hands inserted beneath' the retaining members will abut against the sides of said retaining members to maintain the strip extended to its full width, and said retainmg members being secured to the strip transversely thereof for longitudinal abut-- so that e strip may be pushed back and 3. A strip having engaging means for the respective hands 'ad acent its ends so that the intermediate portion" of the strip may be drawn across a surface, said engaging means comprising pockets closed at their outer ends and sides and open at their inner ends for insertion of the outstretched hands.

'4. A stri having engaging means adjacent the en s thereof and of a length adaptends and sides and open at their inner 'ends for insertion of the outstretched hands.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature to this specification.

CLARA P. GILLUM. 

